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Just south of Indianapolis, Shelbyville does not host any haunted Halloween houses throughout the year, but you don't have to drive far to find one. Whether you want to visit a building with a rich history or have many attractions to choose from at the same spot, a spooky spot worth your visit is near Shelbyville.

Hanna Haunted Acres

Hanna Haunted Acres (hannahauntedacres.com) is just 20 miles to the north of Shelbyville in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. In operation since 1992, this spooky property is composed of six separate attractions. Among the fear-inducing events is the Phantazamagoria Haunted House. You can expect to be chased by people in scary masks and walk through narrow, dark hallways in this Halloween attraction. The property only opens during October.

Eliza Willard's Haunted Hotel

The history of this Franklin building, which lies just 15 miles from Shelbyville, dates back to 1860. It was a residence for William and Cynthia King McCaslin before it was purchased by Eliza Willard. The racy story behind Willard is that she discovered her boyfriend and sister having a romantic relationship, though the exact revenge that she exacted -- if any -- remains a mystery. In October, the property is open as Eliza Willard's Haunted House (elizawillardshauntedhotel.com) for a few days before the Halloween holiday. The attraction includes a room with a completely auditory experience and another with 3-D effects.

Mike Kaiser Poor Farm Haunted Corn Maze

The Mike Kaiser Poor Farm Haunted Corn Maze (mkpf.com) is just 10 miles west of the center of Shelbyville. This annual event takes on a different theme each year. For instance, in 2011 the spooky maze was decorated in scarecrows said to be after human sacrifice. Smoke, strobe lights and scary sounds are all part of this frightening experience. If you don't want to get too spooked, show up before dark when the maze is set up in Halloween decor but the scary aspects are toned down.

Twins' House

While the exact location of the infamous twins' house is unclear, if you're looking for an eerie Shelbyville ghost story to retell, this one is good. As legend has it, a house in Shelbyville was once occupied by a family with twin boys. After the father took the mother's life, his two sons killed him in retaliation. The home was customized so that it was decorated symmetrically, letting each twin live in one half of the home and share the same decor. Upon fighting with each other one fateful night, the twins killed each other and can now be heard screaming in pain as they relive the night of their deaths from beyond.

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About the Author

Lara Webster has been writing professionally since 2009. Her work has been featured on Relationships in the Raw, The Nursery Book, Spark Trust and several travel-related websites. Webster holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in mass communication and media studies, both from San Diego State University.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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